Abstract

The response of sunflower to the induction of soil moisture stress at different phenlogical stages and the application of amelorants to overcome the stress were evaluated using the variety Co. 4. The results showed that moisture stress at vegetative and flowering stages has more adverse effects. The effects of soil moisture stress can be corrected by the foliar application of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, mepiquat chloride and succinic acid. The occurrence of stress at flowering stage caused an yield reduction of 29% over unstressed control. Foliar application of potassium dihydrogen phosphate could improve the yield marginally by 4.1% over unsprayed control.

Keywords: Moisture stress, Ameliorants, Sunflower